Pfizer U-turn
50s-and-over get green light as Gov’t reverses vaccine restriction for kids, second-dosers
Published:Wednesday | November 17, 2021 | 12:13 AM
Two weeks after the health ministry resumed administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine under strict guidelines that only children aged 12 to 18 and people due second doses would get the jab, it has backtracked on that restriction, expanding the group to include people 50 and older.
Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness, told The Gleaner that the decision to widen the eligible group was made on the grounds of adequate vaccine supply.
“We have enough vaccines of that brand to satisfy 100 per cent of students 12 to 18 and additional amounts. We also expect to get more deliveries in the near future, so this decision is based on adequate supplies,” he said.
Jamaica received just over 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on October 29. A shipment of some 45,000 doses had arrived on the island two days earlier.
Noting high preference for the Pfizer brand, Tufton maintained that the Government is mandated to promote vaccines based on availability, not favourability.
“The Government's policy, however, is to promote any vaccine that is available – not a particular brand. We are therefore making this vaccine brand available based on supplies available,” Tufton said.
Clarendon's Medical Officer of Health Dr Kimberly Scarlett Campbell disclosed that vaccine take-up among the student population is below par. She did not disclose hard data.
Scarlett Campbell is, however, optimistic that Tuesday's policy directive will see more people turning out to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Less than 17 per cent of the Jamaican population is fully vaccinated.
Up to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a total of 1,058,139 doses had been administered. Of that number, 572,497 were first doses and 420,638 were second doses. Almost 61,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered.